Donetsk clashes prove situation in Ukraine out of control – Russian MFA

Participants of an anti-war rally (L) clash with a pro-Russian supporter during their respective rallies in Donetsk March 13, 2014.(Reuters / Stringer) / Reuters

Bloody clashes in the city of Donetsk that ended with a murder and multiple wounded proves Kiev does not control the situation in Ukraine, Russia’s Foreign Ministry stated, stressing Moscow reserves right to protect compatriots.

On March 13, a group of far-right extremists attacked a peaceful
demonstration protesting “the destructive position of the
people calling themselves the Ukrainian authorities,”
acknowledged the ministry in an official statement. The radicals
armed with traumatic weapons (e.g. pneumatic pistols) and bats
began to arrive to Donetsk from other regions of Ukraine the day
before, the document stressed.

The tragic events that took place in eastern regional center
ended up with spilled blood, with at least one man murdered and
several dozen wounded.

“We have repeatedly stated that those who came to power in
Kiev must disarm the militants, provide security to the
population and ensure people’s legitimate right to rally.

“Unfortunately, as shown by the events in Ukraine, this is
not happening, the Kiev authorities do not control the situation
in the country,” Russia’s Foreign Ministry declared.

“Russia is aware of its responsibility for the life of
compatriots and citizens in Ukraine and reserves the right to
take these people under protection,” ended the statement.

The latest information arriving from Ukraine suggests that during
the night clashes in Donetsk at least one man was killed while up
to 29 people were injured. Four injured remain in hospitals, one
of them in a critical condition.

The killed person has been identified as a 22-year-old Dmitry
Chernyavsky, an activist of the nationalist Freedom party, who
reportedly died in an ambulance from a stab wound.

A criminal case has been launched into the tragic events in
Donetsk by local prosecutor’s office.

The coup-imposed President of Ukraine Aleksandr Turchinov has
called to “immediately sort out the situation, to detain
those involved in the bloodshed and to punish them for crimes
within the legal way.”

Police have reportedly already detained four instigators of the
mass brawl in downtown Donetsk.